Redshirt junior Wenkers Wright (32) became the first Illinois State running back to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season since James Robinson in 2019. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Dan Verdun
NORMAL – During his Illinois State career, safety Keondre Jackson has developed a reputation for delivering big plays. He came up with yet another during Saturday’s 35-13 win against North Dakota at Hancock Stadium.
With ISU clinging to a 14-10 third-quarter lead, North Dakota strung together three straight power runs totaling 42 yards, which put the Fighting Hawks into Redbird territory.
However the tide turned when Jackson ripped the ball away from UND back Sawyer Seidl at the end of the third such run to give ISU the ball back.
“It was just time to make a play coming out of the half,” Jackson said.
Nine plays after the turnover, Illinois State converted the fumble into points when running back Wenkers Wright dashed up the middle for an 18-yard touchdown.
ISU head coach Brock Spack spoke of his team’s confidence and belief in itself.
“This team has been resilient,” Spack said. “It’s been impressive to watch and fun to coach these guys. Winning is important to them.”
Playoff payoff
The Redbirds, ranked No. 13 in the American Football Coaches Association poll and No. 14 in the Stats Perform FCS poll, are no doubt headed for the FCS playoffs.
The Redbirds will learn of their playoff destination when the NCAA reveals the 24-team FCS bracket at 11:30 a.m. Sunday on ESPNU. It marks the first time in five years that ISU has participated in the postseason tournament.
Illinois State (9-3 overall, 6-2 Missouri Valley Football Conference) would reach double-digit wins for the first time since 2019 with a postseason victory. The team ended the regular season with five wins in a row.
North Dakota (5-7, 2-6) suffered its first five-game losing streak since 1986.
The Wright stuff
Wright rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Eighty-three of Wright’s yards came in the second half.
“The offensive linemen made it so easy on me. For some of those plays I just really ran straight (ahead today),” he said.
Wright went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season, becoming the first ISU back to accomplish the feat since James Robinson in 2019.
“I trust my o-line. I trust (quarterback) Tommy (Rittenhouse). He made my job easier today,” Wright said. “The guy that he’s reading (on defense) is making sure that Tommy doesn’t run, so that means I can run the ball. That just opened it up.”
Rittenhouse completed 21 of 33 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown.
Receiver Eddie Kasper, a former high school quarterback, took a reverse from Rittenhouse and threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Loyd to open the scoring in the first quarter. Kasper also caught seven passes for 49 yards.
The Illinois State defense held North Dakota to 266 total yards of offense. Linebacker Tye Niekamp led the Redbirds with 10 tackles, three pass breakups and a sack.
Game changers
3:52, 1st quarter: Wright scored on a 10-yard rush. Ian Wagner added the extra point for a 14-7 ISU lead.
10:12, 3rd quarter: Jackson forced and recovered a fumble, turning the momentum of the game in Illinois State’s favor.
6:58, 3rd quarter: Wright broke loose for an 18-yard touchdown. Wagner’s PAT gave ISU a 21-10 lead.
Best ‘Birds
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the the top three Illinois State players in the game:
Wright, RB: The junior rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns. He also went over 1,000 yards for the season.
Jackson, S: The senior registered nine tackles, seven of which were solo. He also forced two fumbles.
Loyd, WR: The Kansas State transfer caught eight passes for 121 yards and a touchdown.
What it means
Illinois State reaches nine wins and returns to the FCS postseason for the first time since 2019.
What’s next
With the regular season complete, Illinois State awaits its destination for next weekend’s first-round of the FCS playoffs.
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
Find us on social media!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PSPigskin
Facebook: Prairie State Pigskin
Instagram: Prairiestatepigskin
Prairie State Pigskin 
Leave a comment